Switch or receptacle plate



' Dec. 4, 1928.

T. A. BOTH SWITCH OR RECEPTACLE PLATE Filed Dec. 4, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet Eyfl. INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Dec. 4, 1928.

T. A. BOTH SWITCH OR RECEPTACLE PLATE Filed Dec. 4. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fly/1 'INVENTOR WZM W )YZQM ATTORN EYS I Patented Dec. 4', 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ToNJEs-AfBoTH, or sTRATronn, CON ECTICU assienoa TO THE CONNECTICUT ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, or BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPO- RATION OF CONNE TICUT.

swITCH on RnCErTnCLE PLATE.

\ Application filed December 4, 1922. S.erial,No.-604,692.

This invention relates to face plates for electrical wall devices such as switches and receptacles, and it. is an object of the invention to provide a face plate for such devices which will be absolutely safe and in which there will be no danger to the operator should the connections to the devices within the outlet box, with which the plate is used, become loosened, or should anything go wrong with the devicesor the connections therewith.

It is I also an object of the invention to provide a face plate which is simple "in con struction and may be quickly and easily applied or removed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a face plate of the type described which may be employed with the standard boxes and devices now generally in use, and

it is a still further object of the invention to provide a face plate which will be neat in appearance, may be given different finishes and surface. appearances, may be easily cleaned, and which may be washed or wiped off with a damp cloth without marringthe e5 finish.

With these and other objects in view I have devised the face plates illustrated in the ac companying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a partial sectional view and partial side elevation of an outlet box and face plate applied thereto showing its use with a push button switch. I

Fig. 2 is a front plan view of the plate shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a central lon itudinal section through the plate, showing Figs 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1 showing the plate as employed with a rocking lever or toggle switch.

shown in Fig. 4:. v

' Fig. 6 is a central longitudinal section through the plate shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 4 showing the use of the plate with a receptacle.

Fi 8 is a front plan view of the device 1n Fi I Fig. 9 is a central longitudinal section through the plate of Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 10 is a rear plan view of a gang plate adapted for use with a push button switch and a receptacle.

Fig.11 is a front plan view thereof.

Fig. 5 is a front plan view of the device.

Fig. 12 is an edge view looking from the top of Fig. 10'.

Fig.13 is a section substantially on line 1-3 13 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a section substantially on line 1414 of Fig. 10, and v Fig. 15 is a transverse section through one form of screw to be used with these devices. Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the outlet or switch box is indicated at 16 which is the standard box adapted to be mounted in a recess in a vwallin the usual manner and has suitable openings 17 for the'lead wires18.

As is usual in these boxes the forward side is open for insertion and connection of the electrical devices suchas switches and receptacles. In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 1 have shown a push button switch, the insulating block of which is indicated at 19, and have shown merely the reciprocating push buttons 20 for operating the switch mechanismwhich may be of any suitable type desired. I have also shown the lead wires 18 connected with the binding posts 21-leadingto the contacts (not shown) within the switch block. This switch block is secured to the outlet box in the usualmanner, by means of the yoke 22 secured to the block by the usual screws 23,- and this yoke is in turn secured to the wings 24 of the box 16 by the screws 25. Thus the switch is mounted within the box 16.

I also mount over the open side of the box and the switch my improved face plate 26.

which is designed to take the place -"of the plate, my plate is recessed on the rear or back side thereof, as shown at 28, to receive the heads of screws 25 and also the end por- .tions 29 of the yoke 22. My insulating face plate may be secured to the yoke 22 by the usual screws passing through the same as are employed with the sheet metal face plate, but

same position as the surface of the metal in order to make the installation perfectly safe I prefer to use insulating screws, either screws made entirely of insulating material or screws having a metal stem 30 and a head of insulating material 31, the stem passing through openings 32 in the plate. The outer surface of the plate is preferably countersimk somewhat, as shown at 33, for the heads of the screws or it may be left plain as desired. The heads 31 of these screws are preferably provided with ridges 34 to facilitate the application and removal of these screws. EX- tending through the plate are openings'35 for the passage of the push buttons 20, and these Openings preferably flare outwardly, as indicated at 36, to give a neat appearance and facilitate operation of the buttons.

In Figs. 4 to 6 I have illustrated the construction of the plate as adapted for a toggle switch. The switch, of which I have shown in outline the base block 37 is mounted within the outlet box 16 by the yoke 22 in the same manner as described in connection in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and the face plate 38 is also secured to the yoke in the same manner as in the first form. As the switch, however, has a different type of operatingmechanism, as the vertically moving lever 39, the face plate is provided with an elongated opening 40 throingh which this lever projects, so that it is accessible at the front side of the plate. To better accommodate this lever and also to give a neater appearance the sides of this opening flare outwardly, as shown at 41. This opening is so arranged and proportioned that indications such as .On and Off carried by plate 42 at the base of the lever will be visible through this opening, as shown at 43 in Fig. 5, to indicate the positions of the switch. This plate is made of insulating material preferably a molded phenolic condensation product the same as that of the plate described. The plate is also provided with a recess 38 so that the switch block may be properly positioned.

In Figs. 7 to 9 I have shown the application of my invention to a face plate for a receptacle outlet box. In this box I have shown in outline the insulating block 44 of the receptacle, secured in the outlet box 16 by the f yoke 22 the same as the switches shown in Figs. 1 to 6. After this receptacle has been mounted in position the face plate 45 is secured over the open side of the box by screws 30 and 31 passing through the plate, the same as are the plates 26 and 38 shown in Figs.

1 to 6. In order that the face 46 of the receptacle from which the openings 47 lead for passage of the contact blades of a cap to the contacts (not shown) carried by the receptacle should occupy the proper position relative to the front surface 48 of the face plate, the plate is recessed at 49 for the re ceptacle and is provided with an opening 50 into which the portion 51 carrying the face 46 of the receptacle may project. The opening 50 is also preferably flared outwardly somewhat, as shown at 52, to pr'ovide a neater appearance and facilitate use of the receptac e.

In Figs. 10 to 14 I have illustrated how my invention may be used for gang plates. In the illustration I have shown only a double plate, that is, a plate for two electrical devices, but of course the plate may be made for any number of devices, as desired. In the construction shown the plate 53 is pro vided with openings 54 for the passage of screws for securing the same to the wall box. I have shown a slightly dili'erent form ofscrew whichhas a threaded metal body 55 and a tapered head 56 in which the body is molded. This head is of molded insulating material, and is provided with screw driver slots 57. However, these slots preferably do not extend the whole width of the head, as when they extend through the sides of the head they leave sharp corners which are liable to become broken off when the screws are set with a screw driver, giving an unsightly appearance. i

The specific plate shown is adapted for use with a push button switch of the type shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and also with a receptacle of the type shown in Figs; 7 to 9, but it will of course be obvious that it may be formed for use for various types of switches and receptacles as desired. The back of the plate shown is provided with recesses 58 corresponding with the recesses 28 to accommodate the ends of the yoke 22 and the securing screws 25 as in the single plates. It also has the openings 59 for passage of the push buttons of the switch corresponding to the openings 35 shown in Figs. 1 to 3. These openings are preferably flared, as shown at 60. The other half of the plate is adapted for the receptacle 44 shown in Figs. 7 to 9 and is provided in the rear wall with a recess corre spending to the recess 49 in Figs. 7 to 9. Leading from this recess is the opening 6:2 for the round portion 51 of the receptacle and it isflared at 63 in the same manner as is the opening in the single plate. If desired the 9 may be employed with this plate the same as with the single plates, or the screws shown in Figs. 11 to 15 may be employed with the single plates as will be obvious.

It will be apparent that the use of the insulating plate and also the insulating means for securing the plate to the wall boxes will render the installation absolutelysafe to the user, as of course the push buttons 20 and the switch lever 39 are also made of insulating material. Thus if one of the lead wires should become loosened and come in contact with either the outlet box or the face plate there is no chance of injury to one operating the switch as this construction and arrangeorm of securing screws shown in Figs. 1 to ment provides an electrically dead front device. Where the old form of metal plate is used if a lead wire or a contact should become loosened and touch the face plate obviously there is danger to one using the switch especially if the switch should be operated while the hands are wet whichis very often done, and under these conditions there is also the danger that while one hand is operating the switch the other hand is on a water faucet forming a complete circuit to the ground.

The molded phenolic condensation product also forms'a plate which may be finished in various colors and in almost any surface desired, such as mottled, plain, and so forth, so that plates may be chosen to harmonize with the interior decorations. The plates made of this material may also be easily cleaned as the surface may be washed off with a wet cloth without injuring its'finish.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. A face plate for switch or outlet boxes, made of insulating material, and securing means for said plate comprising screws extending through the plate having heads of insulating material.

2. A face plate of insulating material, and means for securing the plate to a wall having a portion exposed at the front of the plate, the exposed-portion of said means being composed of insulating material.

3. In combination with a grounded metal outlet box mounted in a wall and open at one side, a faceplate of insulating material arranged over said open side, and means for securing the face plate to the outlet box including screws extending through the plate, the headsof said screws comprising insulating material.

4. In combination a grounded metal outlet box open at one side mounted in a wall, an electrical device mounted in said outlet box, a face plate of insulating material over said open side, said face plate beingprovided with an opening to permit use of said electrical device, and means for securing the face plate of insulating material.

to the outlet box including screws extending through said plate, the heads of said screws comprising insulatingmaterial.

5. In combination with a grounded metal outlet box mounted in a wall and open at one side, a face plate of insulating material ar-.

ranged over said open side, and means passing through said face plate to secure it to the outlet box and having a portion exposed at the front of the plate, said means havin at least a portion thereof composed of insudating material so as to insulate the exposed portion from the box.

6. In combination, a grounded metal, outlet box mounted in a wall, a manually operated electrical device mounted in the box, a face plate to cover the non-exposed parts of the device, and means to attach the plate thereto having portions exposed at the front of the plate, said plate and the exposed portions of said means molded of insulating material to form an electrically dead front device.

7. Incombination with a grounded metal outlet box mounted in a wall and open at one side, a yoke, means for securing the yoke to said box. a face plate of insulating material arranged over said open side and provided with recesses in its rear face to receive said a yoke, and screws extending through said plate to secure it to the yoke, the heads of said securing screws passing through the plate to secure it to the yoke, said screws having heads In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

TONJES A. BOTH. 

